Friends of Steve - Botanical Garden of the Piedmont

Remembering Steve

Steve McLean strengthened Charlottesville through the way he showed up – for people, for good work, and for the organizations he believed in. He gave generously of his time and expertise, and was always finding ways to make things better than he found them.

Just before his death, Steve enthusiastically accepted tenure on the Board of Directors of the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont. We are honored to create a permanent place in the Garden where friends and family can reflect, remember, and celebrate a life that touched so many.

Friends of Steve is an invitation to come together to remember Steve’s life and to honor a remarkable friend. Through this effort, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family are helping create a lasting memorial in the future Botanical Garden of the Piedmont while supporting the Garden’s mission and the place it is becoming for our community.

“Simply stated, Steve was one of the nicest men I ever did business with or shared a duck blind. And, in his last days he exhibited extraordinary, unfathomable grace. I was blessed to know him.”
JB Birdsall

“Steve left us too soon. He was a treasured gift to his family, to his community, and to all who were lucky to know him. We can’t fill the gap, but we can honor his legacy in this most fitting way. This first building in Charlottesville’s ambitious Botanical Garden sets the stage for decades of natural beauty and service to our community. Steve would be so very proud.”
Bill Achenbach

“Troost and I always admired the way our dear friend, Steve, gave quietly and generously of his time and influence to support initiatives that create connections, enhance understanding of the healing power of nature, and bring joy to people of all ages and capabilities.
He was committed to helping the Garden move forward with implementation of the extraordinary design and building plans that have been carefully crafted to build our garden. We love the idea of naming the first garden building in his honor.”
Kathy Parker

A Lasting Memorial in the Garden

At the heart of the future Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, Friends of Steve is helping bring the Stephen T. McLean Garden Pavilion to life. As the first building constructed at the Garden, the Pavilion will serve as a welcoming place for gathering, learning, and connection.

As a permanent feature of the Garden, the Pavilion will carry Steve’s name forward in a living landscape shaped by beauty, stewardship, and nature-based experiences. It will be a place where students begin memorable field trips, festival attendees are welcomed and oriented to a day outdoors, partner organizations gather for programs, and community groups find an inviting, nature-filled setting for events and rentals.

Contributions to Friends of Steve advance the Garden’s capital campaign and the shared vision that includes the Stephen T. McLean Garden Pavilion as a major gathering place in the future Garden.

Message from Caroline McLean – March 2026 by Danielle Grieser

Friends of Steve Committee

Carolyn Achenbach
Jack Bocock
Lisa Hogan
Bill MacIlwaine
Court Nexsen
Jack Sanford
David Sutton

Advisors
David Carr
Charlotte Dammann
Caroline McLean

Steve’s Circle

Steve’s Circle recognizes those who made early, generous gifts to help move this memorial forward and inspire others to join.

Bill and Carolyn Achenbach
Nicole and Earle Betts
Mary Scott and JB Birdsall
Katherine Brooks and George Beller
Nora Brookfield and Jack Bocock
Lynn Brubaker and Richard Cornelius
Deedi Coleman
CW Investments, LLC
David and Dorothy Kemper Family Foundation
The Elisabeth Reed Carter Charitable Trust
Anne and Richard Fafara
Faulconer Foundation
Patricia Frischkorn and Jeff Sterba
Claire W. Gargalli
Erik Greenbaum and Lisa Keeler
Kemp and Thomas Hill
Lisa Hogan and Mark Giles
Dearing Johns
Martee and Charles Johnson
Amanda and Glad Jones
Julie and Matt King
Mary Mac and Don Laing
Linda and Bill MacIlwaine
Caroline McLean
McLean Faulconer Inc., Realtors
Diane and Tim Naughton
Evans and Court Nexsen
Heidi and Dan Nibouar
Melissa Oliver
Kathy and Troost Parker
Mike Prentiss
Peggy and Perrin Quarles
Phil Raskin
Martha and Bradley Rodgers
Jack and Missy Sanford
Susan Smith and Robert Baydush
Steve’s Princeton Friends
Nelson and Christina Teague
Catherine and Harrison Wilson
Alison Griscom Wilson

How You Can Contribute

There are many ways to support Friends of Steve, and gifts of all sizes are meaningful. Friends of Steve supporters will receive updates about the Stephen T. McLean Garden Pavilion and the Garden as plans move forward.

For those who wish to honor Steve through a multi-year commitment, we welcome the opportunity to explore a pledge that reflects your intentions. Please contact Danielle Grieser, Capital Campaign Director, at d.grieser@piedmontgarden.org or (434) 953-0060 x5 for more information.

Donate online: Make a gift online to Friends of Steve by using this link.
Give by check: Checks can be made payable to the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont with “Friends of Steve” written in the memo line. Please mail donations to P.O. Box 6224, Charlottesville, VA 22906.
Other ways to give: To give through a donor advised fund, stock transfer, or other method, please contact Danielle Grieser, Capital Campaign Director, at d.grieser@piedmontgarden.org or (434) 953-0060 x5.

Donors may choose to be recognized publicly or remain anonymous.